Harvesting apparatus.



No. 845,581. PATENTED FEB. 26,1907.

G. D. RUSSELL 6: P. H. ARMISTHAD.

HARVESTING APPARATUS.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I ww waaafizz W M eo yfl EwaZZ,

m, wast-"Maren, c,

THE NORRIS PETERS whey/1% A v PATBNTE-D FEB. 26, 1907. G. n. RUSSELL 6;P. H. ARMISTEAD.

HARVESTING APPARATUS.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I my

' jzwizfaw? eoryefllwsyell,

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEroE.

GEORGE D. RUSSELL AND PATRICK H. ARMISTEAD, OF BAIRD, TEXAS.

HARVESTING APPARATUS- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907.

Application filed June 8,1906- Serial No. 320,811.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE D. RUSSELL and PATRICK H. ARMISTEAD,citizens of the United States, residing at Baird, in the county ofCallahan and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Harvesting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to harvesting apparatus; and the object of theinvention is to provide an effective apparatus of this character whichmay be operated with the mini mum amount of power, which shall bestrong, iilufable, and simple in construction and yet ig it. a

The apparatus may beemployed with advantage in many differentconnections, it being of particular use for heading Kafir corn and forthe purpose of conveying the severed heads to a suitable place, such asinto the body of a vehicle, the apparatus being of such a nature that itcan be readily attached to such a vehicle and as easily detachedtherefrom.

The apparatus is so related with the wagon or like vehicle thatpractically no obstruction is offered to the loading or unloading of thewagon or other vehicle.

By virtue of the apparatus we are enabled to secure economy both in timeand labor saved over the usual methods of harvesting corn or othergrains.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification weshow a form or embodiment or the invention which to enable those skilledin the art to practice said invention we will set forth in detail in thefollowing description, while the novelty of said invention v2 ill beincluded in the claims succeeding said description.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 is afront elevation, and Fig. 3 is a top plan view, of a harvestingapparatus involving our invention and Showing the same combmed with awagon. Fig. 4 is a detail view in section of certain driving mechanismand a beam supported thereby. Fig. 5 is a detail view of certain clutchmechanism hereinafter particularly described.

As hereinbefore intimated, our harvesting apparatus may be employed inconnection with a vehicle. This is not essential, although it isdesirable, for we can actuate the operative parts of the apparatus fromthe vehicle and can utilize the body of the latter to receive the cornor other grain separated from the stalks by the harvesting apparatus.

In the drawings we have shown an ordinary farm-wagon as a suitablevehicle in connection with which the harvesting apparatus may beadvantageously employed, and said wagon is denoted in a general way by 2and its wheels by 8. Only one of the wheels, however, appears in thedrawings. Certain of the moving parts of the harvesting apparatus derivetheir motion from the wheel 3. The box or body of the wagon constitutesa suitable receptacle for the heads of corn cut from the stalks bysuitable cutting mechanism, one convenient type of which will behereinarter described.

The cutting mechanism and an elevator operative therewith may be carriedin any desirable way-such, for example, as by the carrier 4, whichcarrier is represented as consisting of an elongated beam sustained inan advantageous way between its ends, as will hereinafter appear, saidcutting mechanism and elevator and certain adjunctive devices beingsupported by the carrier or beam at one end, while a coiled spring, as5, is connected with the opposite end of said carrier or beam, theoflice of said spring being to counterbalance the elevator and cuttingmechanisms supported at the forward end of the carrier or beam 4. In thepresent case the spring 5 is of the retractile type and is connectedwith the beam 4 through the intervention of a chain or other equivalentconnection 6. From the lower end of the spring a similar chain extendsand is comiected with one end of the beam 8, which may be bolted orotherwise fastened to the bottom of the body of the wagon 2. v

The beam 4 in the present case is sustained by a standard 9 in such away that said beam can be moved laterally or in a horizontal directionor can be swung upwardly and down wardly, so as to bring the cuttingmechanism in position to act upon the heads of corn to be harvested. Thestandard 9 has adjustably connected therewith at superposed points theplate 10 and hook 11, the firstmentioned to be attached to the bottom ofthe wagon-body and the hook to be engaged over the upper edge of saidbody. By virtue of the adjustment of the plate and hook we can readilyadapt the standard to wagonbodies of diiferent heights.

The standard or upright 9 is shown as having at its top anoutwardly-extending horizontally-disposed head 12, upon which is mountedthe boxing or bearing 13. Through the upper portion of the bearing 13 isshown as extending a hollow pin 14, which in the present caseconstitutes a pivot for the auxiliary bearing 15, which, like the mainbear ing or boxing 13, may consist of a casting. Ne have represented apin or shaft 16 as extending entirely through the hollow pin 14, andsaid shaft 16 has fixed thereto a bevelgear 17 and a sprocket-wheel 18,the latter being connected by a sprocket-chain 19 with thesprocket-wheel 20, suitably fastened to the traction-wheel 3, so thatthe said sprocketwh'eel 18 may be driven from the tractionwheel 3through the intermediate parts when the wagon2 is in motion. \Ve willhereinafter describe a convenient mechanism for throwing the shaft 16into and out of action. WVhen the sprocket-wheel 18 is rotated, theshaft 16, and consequently the bevel-gear 17, will be rotated.

The bearing 15 has swiveled thereto and extending upward therefrom theverticallydisposed pin 21, having a peripheral shoulder 22, set in acountersink in the upper side of said auxiliary bearing. A bevel-gear 23is represented as upheld by said shoulder 22 and bearing 15 and asmeshing with the bevel gear 17. The pin 21 has a second shoulder 24,upon which the beam 4 rests, by reason of which said beam does not causethe gear 23 to be clamped between the beam 4 and bearing 15, which wouldbe the case were the said beam to directly bear against said bevel-gear23. It will be understood that the pin 21 serves as a vertical pivot forthe beam 4 to permit the latter to be oscillated or swung in ahorizontal direction, while the hollow hori- "zontallydispose d pin 141permits oscillation or swinging of said beam in a vertical direction, sothat the cutting mechanism can be moved as required to sever the headsfrom the stalks. The two motions of the beam can be secured withoutthrowing any of the operative parts out of action.

WVe have shown a shaft 25 as extending longitudinally of the beam 1 infront of the gear 23, said shaft being sustained by suitable bearingspendent from the beam. On the inner or rear end of said shaft isfastened a bevelgear 26 to mesh with said bevel-gear 23. At the forwardend of said shaft is fastened a bevel-gear 27, which meshes with theouter bevel-gear of two connected bevelgears 28, rotative with a shaft29, sustained by a suitable bearing depending from the forward end ofthe beam 4. This shaft 29 constitutes a pivot for the frame 30. Theframe 30 suitably supports the vertically-disposed shafts 31, having attheir upper ends the -bevel-gears 32, which mesh, respectively,

with the bevel-gears 28, whereby the said shafts 3 1 may be operatedthrough the agency of their connections with the traction-wheel 3 whenthe wagon 2 is in motion.

Ne have shown fastened to the lower ends of the oppositely-rotativevertically-disposed shafts cutting-disks 33, the marginal portions ofwhich overlap and engage, so that said disks are self-sharpening. Theirbevel edges cooperate to cut a head of corn from the stalk. The shafts31 have fastened thereto above the cutting disks or knives 33 the reels34, which rotate in a horizontal plane above the lower open end of thecasing 35 of the elevator 36. The arms of the reels as the latter rotatedo not engage with each other, but they do 006 erate in directing theheads of corn severe from the stalks by the disks 33 into the open lowerend of the elevator-casing 35, where such heads can be taken by theelevator upward through its casing and delivered into the box or body ofthe wagon. The elevator-casing 35 is rigidly connected with the pendentpivotally-mounted frame 30, so that said elevator can swing with thebeam 4. The upper end of the elevator-casing 35 has a pivotally-mountedtrough-like extension 37, which is adapted to assume different anglesand which serves to direct the heads of corn lifted by the elevator 36into the wagon box or body when said casing 35 is swung from over thewagon box or body. The elevator 36 receives its motion from one of thevertically-disposed shafts 31, the shaft on the right serving for suchpurpose and being shown as connected with the elevator throughbevel-gearing, (denoted in a general way by 38.)

To the outer side of the frame 30, immediately below the head thereof,we have shown as fastened rods 39, which diverge downward and then arebent inward immediately above the two disks 33, said inwardlybentportions converging inward toward the said cuttingdisks. These two rods39 constitute a guide for directing the stalks into the spacetherebetween, whereby the knives or disks 33 can obtain proper access tothe heads of corn, which when severed by said disks or knives aredisposed of as hereinbefore set forth.

Notwithstanding the fact that the frame 30 is flexibly mounted, weprovide means which tends at all times to cause said frame 30 to assumea vertical position, which is advantageous, owing to the fact that thebeam 4, from which said frame is pendent, assumes different angularpositions. The means shown for such purpose consists of a rod 40, havinga counterweight 41, adjustable-on the outer end of said rod, the innerportion of the rod being forked and the branches thereof being suitablyfastened to the sides of the frame 30.

In Figs. 4 and 5 We have shown in detail an effective mechanism forthrowing the shaft or spindle 21 into and out of action, whereby thecutting mechanism, elevator, and certain other parts may be readilycontrolled. The

shaft 16, it will be remembered, extends.

through the hollow pin or sleeve 14. Said sleeve or hollow pin 14 isnon-rotative with the shaft 16 and is provided with a head 14, tappedinto the bearing or casting 13. The shaft 16 is rotatively connectedwith the clutch member 45, said clutch member having on its inner sidean extension 46 to cooperate with a notch 47 in the stationary head 14.The said shaft 16 has at one end thereof-shown at the left in Fig. 4,for examplea head 16 to fit a countersink in the outer surface of theclutch member 45, aremovable face-plate 48 preventing the shaft 16 frommoving longitudinally with respect to said clutch member 45, althoughsaid shaft can freely rotate in said clutch member. When the gears 17and 23 are in mesh, the extension 46 will be out of the notch 47, andthis relation wi ll be maintained by a hook, as 49, on the clutchmember, entering the recess, as 50, on the head 14. To put the two gearsout of mesh, the extension 46 will be entered in the notch 47, wherebytheshaft 16 may be moved longitudinally to secure such result, and whensuch gears are out of mesh the hook 49 will enter a recess, as 51, inthe head 14 to hold the parts 14 and 45 together. To facilitate theturning of the clutch member 45 so that the extension 46 thereon can bebrought into register with the notch 47, said clutch member may beequipped with a handle, as 52.

What we claim is- 1. In a harvesting apparatus, a carrier mounted forvertical and horizontal oscillation, cutting mechanism supported by saidcarrier, and an elevator associated with the cutting mechanism forreceiving therefrom the harvested material and for conducting the sameto a suitable receptacle.

2-. In a harvesting apparatus, a carrier nioimted for vertical andhorizontal oscillation, a vehicle to which said carrier is connected,cutting mechanism supported by said carrier, an elevator associated withthe cutting mechanism forreceiving therefrom harvested material and fordelivering the same to said vehicle, and mechanism operated from thevehicle for actuating the cutting mechanism and elevator.

3. In a harvesting apparatus, a carrier mounted for vertical andhorizontal oscillation, cutting mechanism supported by said carrier, anelevator associated with the cutting mechanism for receiving therefromthe harvested material and for conducting the same to a suitablereceptacle, said cutting mechanism and elevator being at one side of thecenter of motion of said carrier, and

counterbalancing means for the cutting mechanism and elevator, connectedwith said carrier at the opposite side of said center of motion.

4. In a harvesting apparatus, a carrier mounted for vertical andhorizontal oscillation, cutting mechanism and an elevator supported atone side of the center of motion of the carrier, acounterbalancing-spring for the cutting mechanism and elevator connectedwith said carrier at the opposite side of said center, the elevatorbeing in position to receive the articles harvested by the cuttingmechanism.

5. In a harvesting apparatus, an oscillatory carrier, a frame flexiblysupported by said carrier, means tending at all times to hold said framepositively in an operative position, cutting mechanism supported by saidframe, and an elevator movable with the carrier for receiving from thecutting mechanism harvested material and for conducting the same to asuitable receptacle.

6. In a harvesting apparatus, an oscillatory carrier, a frame flexiblysupported by said carrier, and cutting mechanism and an elevatorsupported by said frame, the elevator being in position to receivearticles harvested by the cutting mechanism.

7. In a harvesting apparatus, a carrier mounted for oscillation, a frameflexibly supported by the carrier, cutting mechanism and an elevatorsupported by the frame, and means tending to hold the frame in avertical position.

8. In a harvesting apparatus, a carrier mounted for oscillation, a frameflexibly supported by said carrier, an elevator and cutting mechanismsupported by said frame, the elevator being located to receive articlesharvested by the cutting mechanism, and a counterbalancing -weightconnected with the frame and tending to maintain the same in a verticalposition. I

9. In a harvesting apparatus, a standard, a bearing supported by saidstandard, a hollow pin sustained by said bearing, a shaft extendingthrough the hollow pin, a second bearing oscillatory on said hollow pin,a carrier, a pivot for said carrier at an angle to said hollow pin andsupported by said second bearing, means for operating said shaft,cutting mechanism supported by said carrier, and means operative fromsaid shaft for ac tuating said cutting mechanism.

' 10. In a harvesting apparatus, a standard, a bearing supported by saidstandard, a hollow pin sustained by said bearing, a shaft extendingthrough said hollow pin, a second bearing supported for rocking motionby said hollow pin, a vertically-disposed pin swiveled upon the secondbearing, a carrier, said second pin constituting a pivot for saidcarrier, intermeshing gears, one of' which is fastened to the shaft, andthe other of which surrounds said second pin, cutting mechanismsupported by the carrier, and means receiving its motion from the geararound :said :second pin, for actuating said cutting mechan- 1 ism.

1 1. In a harvesting apparatus, a standard,

a bearing supported by said standard, a hollow pin sustained by saidbearing, ashaatt ex- 1 tending through said hollow pin, a second saidsecond pin constituting a pivot for said carrier, lntermeshmg gears, one10f Which 1s fastened to the shaft, and the other :of which surroundssaid second pin, cutting mechanism supported by the carrier, meansreceiv- 1 mg its motion from the gear around said sec- ;ond pin, foractuating .said cut-ting mechanism, a vehicle with which said standardis connected, and means operated from .a wheel of said Vehicle forturningsaid shaft.

12 In a harvesting :appai'at-us, a carrier mounted for vertical andhorizontal oscillation, a vfraI-ne flexibly pendent from said car- 1inier, notary shafts supported by said frame,

overlapping engaging disks fixed to the respective shafts, an elevatorand its casing supported by the frame, a vehicle with which the carrieris associated, a trough pivotally connected to the elevator-casing fordirecting material into the vehicle when the casing is swung fromthereover, and means for positivelydirecting articles cut :by the disksinto said casing.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

GEORGE D. RUSSELL. PATRICK ARMISTEAD. Witnesses:

R. POWELL, Tnos. FLOYD.

